What Would You Do?

I'm serious here people. I truly want your opinions...

Andy was heading to his annual reserve check-in a few weeks ago for the Marine Corps a few hours away. He was in the right lane and he passed a cop sitting off to the side of the road by himself with his lights on. He kept on driving...

The cop pulled him over. He said he failed to yield to an emergency vehicle.

The cop said he saw there were cars to the left of Andy so he couldn't have pulled over to the other lane, but the very least he should have done was slow down. He said it's a state law.

He gave Andy a ticket for $180, and the ticket carried an 8 point addition to his license.

Today was Andy's court date. I have never been pulled over, so I don't know how it all works. But, today was the last day he could plead guilty or not guilty. He met with the judge and the judge said there was nothing he could do for him. He couldn't deduct the fine or any of the points. He said if he wanted to plead not guilty they would set a trial date and then he would come back and plead his case.

Andy believes that he was guilty by law. He had no idea of the law at the time so he was not willingly disobeying, but ignorance is no excuse he says. He pleaded guilty and paid the fine and now has 8 points on his license.

Now, I don't ask for comments very much, but I'm begging you people. I want to know what you think. I don't care if you leave your comments anonymous or not. I just want to know what others would have done in such a situation. I'm super green to driving violations and how it all works. I would like as much input as you'll give me.

Now, share your wisdom... ready, set, go!

Spring Has Sprung

Life on the honey farm is wonderful in the spring. It's a great place to be. Samuel is taking every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors!

Blogging About Blogging

It's been exactly a year to date since we started our blogging journey. It's been a fun one. As I was looking back over to see what I wrote a year ago, I was reminded of our original intentions of the blog. Yes, we were to keep this blog for family and friends to view photos and hear stories of our precious little ones, but there was more to it than that. I wanted to have a place to share with others what the Lord has been doing in and through us.

My words from April 11, 2007:

Wise people have always told me to journal, journal, journal. I have for the most part taken them up on that. I hand write most of my thoughts, and no one reads them. Which is how I like it. But, there are times when I think it is good for others to read your thoughts. I write for therapy. I write to document our lives. But, now I begin to write so that others are informed. I want everyone to know the great and awesome things God is doing in our lives! His blessings should not be kept quiet only having a few be glad, but to be shared with all, so that we can rejoice together at what an AWESOME God we serve!

We have had the incredible opportunity of walking along side our dear friends Jordan and Patience as they celebrated their precious son's life. We are currently walking along side Nate and Tricia as they face difficult circumstances in their lives. We have never met Nate and Tricia, but they would be the first ones to tell you that the prayers of other Christians is what is carrying them through. They have had on some days 100,000 hits on their blog. 100,000! And I guarantee you that about 80-90% of those people are praying to God for their situation. What an awesome opportunity for Christians to unite and share in one another's sufferings.

Here is are a few examples of people who have been touched by baby Isaac, the sweetest boy, the son of our friends, Jordan and Patience. There are HUNDREDS, if not THOUSANDS more that I could tell about if I had the time...

Patience, I just want to take a moment to Thank you for sharing Isaac with us. Isaac continues to hold a special place in the hearts of our family, even though we have never met. I was directed to your blog from a member of your church that I know from a childcare forum. It was through your blog that I was introduced to the Lawrenson's blog. These two journeys have enhanced my faith in ways I couldn't have imagined. God is speaking loud and clear to me these days... Please know that you and Jordan continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.

Here's another:

Patience and Jordan, we love you very much and have been so inspired and challenged by your touching story. It is exciting that you have impacted so many by sharing the story of baby Isaac. You have shown us what true worship is really. True worship amidst the storm. We are thinking about you both and are praying for ultimate peace, joy and comfort.

And another, and then I promise I'm done...

You guys are so awesome! Thank you for sharing your journey with us - for being so open about the joys and sorrows that have been such a part of your life over the last year. Thank you for sharing Isaac with us - he is so precious! When we get to heaven, I'd like for God to let everyone "line up" whose lives have been touched by Baby Isaac! What a sight that would be - what joy this little guy has brought to so many!

People would have never been given this opportunity if it were not for blogging. We have connected in a way that technology years ago did not offer. I believe this network has been used for such good things. People all over the world are reaping the rewards of such an invention. I personally have been able to link up with women online who have encouraged me so much in my faith and as a wife and a mother.

Living where I live (in the middle of no where) I would not have otherwise had this opportunity to learn from such women. I have been blessed beyond words during a very crucial time in my life as I raise two tiny children and as I continue to build a foundation for my faith, and our marriage to be built on. I don't take my jobs lightly and it is so beneficial to join with others who think similarly.

All this to say, that I have lost my focus. I have be swayed by others that think we are sharing too much of our lives for the whole world to see. I disagree. I believe there are risks to sharing information online, but there are many more blessings that are capable of coming out of it than risks. I have forgotten that over the months.

We are not currently going down such a journey as Pai and Jordan, or Nate at Tricia, but we are definitely experiencing life. And those experiences are meant to be shared. Not just with family and friends, but with all who want to know more about God and what he is doing through his people. I have felt a sense of guilt for not sharing as much as I should what the Lord has been doing in our lives. He wants us to share with others. He wants us to bless others with our stories and to ask others to bear our burdens with us. That's why we are here.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

So, as an anniversary post, I am recommitting this blog, not only to sharing our good times, but also our bad, and everything in between. To share our thoughts about what's on our hearts and to look ahead towards the things to come. Thanks to those of you who are walking along side of us on our journey and encouraging us every step of the way. We are indebted to your wisdom and love.

6 Weeks, Pink Eyes, Treats

We've hit the 6 week mark.

Somebody said it takes about 6 weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby... that someone doesn't know that once you're a mom, 'normal' is history!

Somebody also said you can't love the second child as much as the first... that someone doesn't have two children.

What an incredible 6 weeks it has been. We are so blessed to have our Joseph with us. He bring so much joy to our family. Looking forward to many, many more celebrations with him!

On another note... Samuel had pink eye the beginning of this week. It was thankfully not bad at all. It cleared right up in less than 24 hours after he got some medicine. It didn't seem to phase him much at all, and thankfully, none of us have gotten it... yet.

After his appointment we dropped off his prescription to be filled and decided while we were waiting, we would celebrate the gorgeous day (75 degrees) and treat Samuel to his first ice cream stand experience. He was in heaven. Joseph didn't want any, though. We'll have to work on that. If he is a member of our family, he BETTER like ice cream!




And for those of you 'mother hens,' no, we were not actually going to give Joseph any ice cream... we were just having some fun :)

Family Hike

Joseph went on his first hike outside of mommy's belly last Saturday. He was asleep before we left and didn't wake up until after we got home. He basically has no idea what happened.

Andy has been taking Samuel on a ton of hikes since Joseph was born to help him get some exercise in and to get out of the house, and also to give me some quiet time.

As much as I liked the quiet time, I was getting so sick of having to sit all the hikes out because it was too cold for Joseph. The weather was pretty nice last weekend so we all headed out to celebrate. It was sure a treat for me to be able to get back out there. We had such a good time. I can't wait for Joseph to be old enough to actually know he's going on a hike!



This was Joseph for about 3 1/2 hours straight!